Richard Doherty

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Richard Doherty — strong ruler
2.6 million People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Richard Doherty is a name combining Germanic origins, bringing together "strong ruler" (Richard) with "the unlucky one" (Doherty). The first name Richard is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Old High German Ricohard, composed of ric (power) and hard (brave, hardy). Borne by three kings of England. The surname Doherty from Irish Ó Dochartaigh, meaning 'descendant of the unlucky one.' The most common surname in County Donegal. Richard is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 2.6 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Richard reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Richard

Meaning: strong ruler

Germanic

From the Old High German Ricohard, composed of ric (power) and hard (brave, hardy). Borne by three kings of England.

Surname: Doherty

Meaning: the unlucky one

Celtic

From Irish Ó Dochartaigh, meaning 'descendant of the unlucky one.' The most common surname in County Donegal.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Richard is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 46%
United Kingdom 24%
Germany 13%
Australia 9%
Canada 8%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Richard by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Name Variants & Related Names

The name Richard has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Rick
  • Dick
  • Rich
  • Richie
  • Ricardo
  • Riccardo

Variants of the surname Doherty: Docherty Dougherty O'Doherty

Notable People Named Richard Doherty

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Richard Doherty:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

9
Personality Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Richard?
The first name Richard originates from Germanic. From the Old High German Ricohard, composed of ric (power) and hard (brave, hardy). Borne by three kings of England.
How common is the name Richard Doherty?
The first name Richard is shared by approximately 2.6 million people worldwide. The surname Doherty is among the most recognizable in its region of origin.
Where is the name Richard most common?
The name Richard is most prevalent in United States and surrounding regions.
When was Richard most popular?
The name Richard reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
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